Simple Meatloaf Recipe

There is nothing more cozy than snuggling up by the fireplace with a hot plate of homemade comfort food. Comfort food to me has always been something hearty and starchy like meatloaf with mashed potatoes. I think it might be Joe’s death row meal. Mine would be… something with cheese, chips and dip… I’m going off track here.

I whipped up this meatloaf for some friends who are gluten free which is why I used the gluten free rolled oats instead of my traditional bread crumbs or panko crumbs. I like the sweet surprise that the pinch of cinnamon gives. If I have it on hand I usually add a few swishes of fresh grated nutmeg. If you haven’t had fresh nutmeg before it’s absolutely heavenly. I typically find it at specialty spice stores or grocers like Fresh Thyme Market. It is a bit woodsier than the pre grated spices and one nut of it lasts forever. Meatloaf in our house never tastes the same twice typically because i’m usually putting whatever I have in my cupboard in it but this time I wrote it down.

I poured a jar of my homemade tomato jam on top when there was about 5 minutes of baking time left but I’ve also used the glaze from candied jalapenos or just a mix of equal parts ketchup and brown sugar. You really can’t go wrong. This makes a great weekend in meal or will feed you for pretty much an entire week, your choice!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs of ground beef
• 2 eggs
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 1/2 tbsp white pepper
• 1/3 cup of parsely
• 1/3 cup of parmesan
• 1/2 tbsp minced onion dry
• pinch of cinnamon
• 2/3 cup of rolled oats
• 1/3 cup of milk
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• Glaze Optional (I used a jar of my canned tomato jam but brown sugar and ketchip 1:1 ratio works great)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and shape meat into a loaf 2 inches thick. Bake at 350F for 40 minutes. If glazing pull meatloaf out at 35 mintues, glaze and return to oven. Let rest after cooking 10 minutes. Serve sliced over mashed potatoes or with this corn pudding!